Putting hair up with a Daiso Bargain

Yes more hair accessories from Daiso!

After this post  by Beauty Geek, I sat there, staring at the Goody Simple Styles site wistfully. We don't have cool stuff like this here. So imagine my reaction when I spotted this at Daiso:

Daily Dose of Vitamin C: Cellnique Contour C Complex

I love Vitamin C for my skin. Pimples heal faster, scars lighten up and my skin looks clearer.

When Cellnique contacted us earlier in the year to trial their products, I asked for their Cellnique Contour C Complex which claims to contain 24% of vitamin C. That's a big punch of vitamin C considering how most vitamin C serums apparently contain about 5% to 10% of vitamin C.

This is one of the longest trials I have run for a skincare product but after 4 months of playing around and usage, I think I can finally sit down and write a through review of this product.

Traditional Japanese Lip Balm

 I couldn't leave Japan without picking up something "traditional". Not being too enthralled with the blotting papers, or nightingale poop infused cream, I went for an old favourite.. Lip Balm. And the yummiest citrus scented lipbalm you have ever smelled too.

Monday's Beauty Sharing: What's in your shower?

Happy Monday lovelies.

Since Monday are usually associated with the blues, I'll try to help you ladies get through today by indulging you with a little voyeurism. *Hehe*

Here, take a peak into my bathroom. And check out my crazy product line-up.

Nivea Pinkish Boost 3 in 1 Tastes BLERGH!

When will I ever learn? Despite previous bad experiences with Nivea Caregloss (which, in my defense, many have given rave reviews), what do I do when I see that Nivea has a NEW tube gloss out? I BUY it without a second thought. When it comes to Nivea lip products I have all the power to resist of a stunned lemming.

On paper, the product sounds pretty odd actually. It's supposed to "restore your natural lip colour" (whatever that means), reduce lip dullness (with shine?) and protect with SPF15. To be honest, I was expecting one of those clear balms that turn pink on their own, presumably in reaction to your body heat or skin pH levels. A little gimmicky in pricey brands but fun in a cheapie gloss.

It's a Rip Off: Watsons VIP Card

Ladies, don't get the Watsons VIP Card. It's an absolute rip off and a ridiculous waste of RM 12 which you are never going to get back in a year.

Let me lay out the facts for you.

The Watsons so-called VIP Card is like any other customer card we get from Isetan, Robinson's and the like. The idea is simple: the more you spend, the more points you earn and the higher the rebate.

Yummy Raspberry!

Bumping into this bodywash whilst briefly clearing out my booty cupboard (to make way for more products, of course) was kinda like meeting an old friend.

Almost. Kinda.

You know... you meet, and you click right away. Half a year lapses. You bump into each other again. And you click straight away. Again.

That's what this ~H20+ Raspberry Guave Shower & Bath Gel is like for me. It could potentially be a good friend of mine.

Monday's Beauty Bits

Local site selling OCC Lip Tars, Serendipity is having a Raya Sale! Buy 2 Lip Tars for RM90 instead of RM60 each. I've picked up Memento and NSFW. What colours are you lusting after?

Hate bobby pins? Me too! They ruin my manicure and don't hold up large amounts of hair well. I found an alternative at Daiso! Check out what the U-Shaped Pin can do. =)

The 80s were briefly (thank god) back when upscale makeup lines tried to sell us on blue eyeshadow + orange lips. Most of us ignored it, clever us! NOW they're trying to bring back the 90s! Remember those dark brown lips in Friends and the earlier seasons of Law & Order SVU? They're baaaaaaacccckkk... (I'm no fan)

Review: Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Face Wash

This review has taken a long time coming. And you'll see why in a moment.

Several months back, Kahani asked me if I'd like to give this face wash a whirl, and (me being me) I was all up for it.

I started using it occasionally, and as my skin did not object to it (and I rather liked it actually), I started using it regularly in my night cleansing routine. I was using it every night for about two weeks, I believe, during which I was rather happy with the results.

As far as cleansing went, this was a pretty decent cleanser. It foamed into a rich lather, and it was able to take off most of my light makeup with one wash. But I still liked to end my cleansing routine with a round of Cetaphil.

Fast forward two weeks later though, and things started going downhill from there.

Soap & Glory Glad Pits Spray on Deodorant

Finally, a deo that both smells great and works great. Some of you know just how much I adore Soap & Glory scents and this deo doesn't disappoint! It's anti-prespirant, feels comfortable after spritzing, doesn't cause breakouts and smells just like the body spray. 

It even looks adorable and has an equally adorable name. "Glad Pits" tee hee!

Now if only it was available HERE darnnit!

I had to get a friend travelling to Malaysia from the UK to pick it up for me. It's still not my daily deodorant and I prefer Rexona Dry Stick for that but this baby has found its place in my beauty routine!

Application Tips: It's all in the Fingers

No makeup brushes? Fret not, just make use of your fingers. I came across this delightful guide in a magazine recently. I thought it was a great guide for people on the go who can't be bothered to carry a bunch of brushes around (like me).

Now, if only I can remember which mag it was...

Biore Makeup Removing "Oil Cleansing" Wipes are Meh

I thought this trip to Japan would be a great time to road test these makeup removing wipes you can now find at Guardian and Watsons. And my take is they're just... meh. Oil Cleansing or not, they don't outperform other makeup wipes like Simple and each sheet is only half the size of Simple's. So they fall down there too.

Monday's Beauty Bits: Great Online Stores

Hi dearies, I realise I'm not that much of a beauty bits person. Hence today, I'll be skirting the issue and sharing with you some of the online stores I've shopped in before, whose services were satisfactory enough for me to recommend to you.

This post is done based entirely on my personal shopping experience, and they are beauty related, which is why I'm uhh.. sharing this with you anyway. Here goes:

1. Kiss & Makeup NY - I made my first purchase here a month or so back for some NARS products, including powder blush and eyeshadow duos, and I was happy that the package arrived at my doorstep within about 2 weeks. Packaging was well padded and all products arrived intact.

2. The Makeup Mix Shop - Some of my Ecotools and ELF Studio products were purchased here. Toma, who runs the site, is one lovely, lovely lady who throws in extras for you to try too!

3. Cherry Culture - I've bought NYX stuff here several times and the my products have always arrived in tip top condition. I've heard that some might have had some negative experiences shopping here, but fortunately, I've never had to. The only problem previously was that Cherry Culture did not ship to Malaysia, but alas, that has been fixed. They now do. *winks*

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

To all our Muslim readers and friends,

Wishing you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! May you have a blessed Eid. Maaf zahir dan batin.

Love,
Syen, Kahani and Eli.

PS: For the rest of you, how you spending the long weekend? I'm starting mine with a relaxing facial. Hehe...

Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate

So we now add the latest Nivea tinted lip balm to the list here at So Loverly. You girls know we're crazy fans of the line, especially in Pink Grapefruit, so when Beetrice reviewed Pomegranate both Syen and I were just itching to get our paws on it. I nabbed mine in Singapore, she got hers in Bangkok. North and south of Malaysia.. but NOT in Malaysia. Nivea Malaysia, if you're reading this, I hate you.

*Ahem*

So is it love? Why yes I do believe it is. This tinted balm is different from the others primarily because it has shimmery bits in it. Honestly? I can do without them, but it doesn't bother me much.

Beauty Mistakes: Mixing Up Products

My camera is on the frizz and it's been a while since we had a discussion post so the Hot Topic today is...

How many of you have accidentally mixed up your beauty products and used something else instead? Or had a family member/ friend accidentally use the wrong product?

Quite a long while back, my father was convinced that he had caught lice from somewhere as his scalp was itching like there was no tomorrow. Mum walked in on us kids looking through his hair with a magnifying glass (yes, he was that paranoid) and after listening to Dad's explanation, she walked into the bathroom and came out with a funny look on her face.

Desperate Me + Estee Lauder Haul ~

So I was a desperate woman. Very, very desperate.

I have no idea why, but of late (last couple of weeks), my skin has decided to dry out on me, in a most uncomfortable and unflattering manner. Day in, day out, I've been slapping on moisturiser after moisturiser, with the hope that my skin will retain something.

Nope. No such luck.

Monday's Beauty Bits

Need to put your long hair up but have nothing to put it up with? Check out this site for step by step instructions on putting your hair up with no accessories. It may take some practice but eventually, like me, you'll get it. ;)

Not that I expect this to come in handy for me rightaway. But if I ever find myself in NY and need a manicure, I'll refer to the lovely Garance's guide. Check it out, it's an adorable read!

This pair of absolutely adorable shoes.. squeak. With every step. It's the plasticky material they're made of. So in desperation I greased the straps (where they came into contact with each other) with some mint flavoured tube lipbalm I had lying around. And it worked! Now my shoes smell minty...

Day to Night: NARS Rajasthan Duo

Hey lovelies,

Starting the day out on a work day, but partying after? NARS Rajasthan duo might be something worth your time.


Here I share how I bring the duo from a simple day look to a smokey night eye. And it was pretty much done using mostly only Rajasthan.

CrossPost: How to make a sock bun and use it!

I don't often cross-post from Frocking Around, but hey I was so proud of me that I couldn't resist reposting this tip / crafty idea and hair-achievement here on So Loverly. Hope you'll forgive me. 

It's incredibly easy to get this hairstyle. Honest! 10 minutes tops... and that includes making the sock bun.

In Love and Heartbroken: Chanel Rouge Coco in Bois des Iles

Excuse the lack of pictures and swatches but I am having terrible problems uploading them to the blog. Will post the pics by the end of the week, promise. 

The purchase of a Chanel lippie – well, any Chanel product really – is a long and lengthy decision. For me, at least. If I were to tell that to my mother, she would probably sniff and say, “It’s just a matter of making up your mind and having the money,” while applying her Chanel lipstick.

I already long made up my mind to get myself a Rouge Coco lipstick but it was a matter of getting the money (researchers don't get much). Thank goodness for all those 6 day outstation trips. When I visited KL a few weeks ago, I marched into the nearest Chanel counter (the nearest being a 5 minute walk away from my arrival gate at KL International Airport) and started swatching Rouge Cocos and bullying the poor MUA like a deranged person  woman on a mission.

I think the poor woman heaved a huge sigh of relief when I finally decided on #33 Bois des Iles.